PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex ORourke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Runar Nordgren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

ORourke
vs
Nordgren

180 cm
23
200 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

186 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alex ORourke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Runar Nordgren!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ORourke moves out of range as Nordgren strikes.
Nordgren fails with an attempt to clinch.
ORourke shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nordgren pinned against the cage. Nordgren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
ORourke bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nordgren throws a hook but ORourke avoids it easily.
Nordgren tries to clinch but ORourke moves out of range.
Nordgren fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nordgren tries to clinch up but ORourke circles away and keeps his distance.
Nordgren is looking to clinch but ORourke is avoiding it.
ORourke slips a straight right by Nordgren.
Nordgren misses with a straight left.
ORourke uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nordgren.
ORourke slips a straight right by Nordgren.
ORourke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
ORourke throws a good cross that connects.
Nordgren scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Alex ORourke has been cut.
Nordgren tries to close the distance and clinch up but ORourke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
ORourke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nordgren throws out the jab.
Nordgren throws a lazy right hand but ORourke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nordgren throws the left hand but ORourke avoids the punch easily.
Nordgren scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ORourke shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nordgren defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex ORourke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ORourke slips a straight right by Nordgren.
Nordgren displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from ORourke.

ORourke closes the distance and clinches.

ORourke manages to break the clinch.
ORourke slips under a jab.
Nordgren closes the distance looking to clinch

and ORourke counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
ORourke is pressed up against the cage. Nordgren has hold of a leg and is looking to drag ORourke down to the mat. ORourke avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nordgren tries to clinch

and ORourke counters by clinching up.
ORourke goes for a takedown attempt but Nordgren pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
ORourke ducks under a wild hook from Nordgren.
Nordgren wants to clinch

and ORourke counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ORourke prevents Nordgren from breaking the clinch.
ORourke looking for a takedown.
ORourke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
ORourke tries for a takedown. No joy.
ORourke is breathing heavily.

ORourke breaks the clinch.
Nordgren might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nordgren tries to clinch but ORourke moves away

and ORourke moves into the clinch.
Nordgren stops a takedown attempt from ORourke.
Nordgren tries to break the clinch but ORourke is controlling the position.
Nordgren has ORourke pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. ORourke manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nordgren wants a takedown but no success here.
ORourke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nordgren's efforts to push away.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordgren has had enough of the clinch but ORourke keeps him there for the moment.

Nordgren has clasped his hands together around ORourke's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Nordgren cracks ORourke with a big right hand but ORourke just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
ORourke wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
ORourke takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Check out the look on Nordgren's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Nordgren lands a nice forearm strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nordgren lands a few punches from side control.
Nordgren in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Nordgren is chipping away with strikes.
ORourke wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nordgren landing strikes.
Nordgren lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The ground and pound from Nordgren seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
You can see the frustration on ORourke's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
ORourke takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nordgren tries to advance to mount but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nordgren closes the distance but ORourke moves to the side

and ORourke holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
ORourke goes for a takedown attempt but Nordgren pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
ORourke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nordgren throws out the jab.
Nordgren misses with a hook. ORourke ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Runar Nordgren dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alex ORourke's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good exchange - Nordgren coming out on top.
ORourke lands a high kick!
Nordgren tries to clinch

and ORourke counters by moving into the clinch.
ORourke has Nordgren pressed against the cage, preventing Nordgren from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

ORourke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nordgren looks to clinch
and ORourke counters with a lovely straight right hand!
ORourke slips under a jab.
Nordgren tries to clinch but fails miserably
and ORourke counters with a thumping low kick.
ORourke throws a nice head kick!
Nordgren is on the wrong end of a nice combination from ORourke.
Nordgren tries to clinch but ORourke moves away

and ORourke counters by clinching up.
ORourke prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nordgren has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. ORourke avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

ORourke pulls guard effortlessly.
ORourke is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nordgren with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nordgren slips nicely into half guard.
Nordgren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
ORourke knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nordgren on the ground.
Nordgren thows a huge punch but ORourke dodges it nicely.
Nordgren passes to side control.
Nordgren misses with the ground and pound.
ORourke managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nordgren.
ORourke on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if ORourke tries to get out of the position.
Nordgren is putting a hurting on ORourke here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nordgren moves into full mount!
Nordgren connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordgren is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Nordgren working away from the top, dropping strikes.
ORourke takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Nordgren lands a heavy elbow.
Nordgren landing strikes from the mount.
Nordgren lands a nice shot to the head.
Nordgren is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. ORourke can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nordgren working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nordgren scoring with strikes but ORourke is staying in there.
Nordgren connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Nordgren avoids the attempt from ORourke to control.
Nordgren connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke tries to get back to half guard but can't.
ORourke taking shots to the head.
Nordgren fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Nordgren fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
ORourke working to try and regain half guard.
A nice elbow there by Nordgren.
Nordgren lands a heavy elbow.
Nordgren landing strikes from the mount.
ORourke taking shots to the head.
Nordgren cracks ORourke with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nordgren scoring with strikes but ORourke is staying in there.
Nordgren looking to finish ORourke with some ground and pound. This is bad for ORourke!
ORourke slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nordgren trying to pass the guard but ORourke defending well.
ORourke is trying to stand up here but Nordgren is controlling him well.
Nordgren throwing shots but ORourke is blocking nicely.
Nordgren scoring with strikes to the body and head.
ORourke looks like he's trying to stand up.
ORourke is holding on to half guard well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex ORourke will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex ORourke's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

ORourke shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nordgren pinned against the cage. Nordgren gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nordgren closes the distance looking to clinch
and ORourke counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
ORourke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Nordgren forces ORourke back against the cage and clinches.

ORourke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nordgren tries to clinch but fails miserably

and ORourke counters by clinching up.

ORourke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nordgren misses with a looping left.
Nordgren clinches but ORourke breaks the clinch

and ORourke moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nordgren is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ORourke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nordgren's efforts to push away.
Nordgren wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ORourke has Nordgren pressed against the cage, preventing Nordgren from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
ORourke tries to pull guard but Nordgren holds him up against the cage and eventually ORourke drops back down to his feet.
Nordgren is looking for a takedown up against the cage. ORourke gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
ORourke tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex ORourke. That's going to take a lot out of him.

ORourke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
ORourke circles away from the clinch attempt

and ORourke moves into the clinch.
Nordgren has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
ORourke gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nordgren.

ORourke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nordgren throws a jab but it's blocked by ORourke.

ORourke rushes Nordgren and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ORourke fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nordgren tries to stall but ORourke uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
ORourke prevents a takedown attempt there.

ORourke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by ORourke.
Nordgren tries to clinch up
and ORourke counters with a solid body kick.
Nordgren with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling ORourke to score with a decent uppercut.
Nordgren closes the distance looking to clinch

and ORourke counters by clinching up.
Nordgren drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

ORourke decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordgren with a flurry of punches that miss.
ORourke not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
ORourke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nordgren.
ORourke is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nordgren is working ORourke over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nordgren advances position into side control!
Nordgren postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
ORourke is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nordgren connects with a decent elbow.
Nordgren looks up at the clock and then as ORourke takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nordgren smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nordgren grinds an elbow into ORourke's temple.
ORourke misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Nordgren has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
ORourke tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nordgren wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
ORourke wants to control but Nordgren postures up.
ORourke on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nordgren clinches but ORourke breaks the clinch

and ORourke counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nordgren trying to control the position but instead, ORourke has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nordgren into the cage.
Nordgren has ORourke pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. ORourke manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
ORourke stops a takedown attempt from Nordgren.
ORourke pressing his opponent against the cage.
Knees to the body from ORourke.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex ORourke showed his dominance in that final round.
I think ORourke has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight for Alex ORourke!
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight for Runar Nordgren!

The fight ends as a draw!